U.S. Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is picking up a major
endorsement Thursday - that of former U.S. president George H.W. Bush.

A spokesman for Romney says Bush will announce his backing at an event
in the southwestern city of Houston in the state of Texas. Former
president Bush's endorsement comes one week after his son, former
Florida governor Jeb Bush, pledged his support for Romney's campaign.

Romney also secured a key endorsement Wednesday, when U.S. Senator Marco
Rubio of Florida said it is increasingly likely the former Massachusetts
governor will win enough delegates to secure the nomination.

In a nationally televised interview, Rubio said he had no doubt that
Romney will govern as a conservative if elected, and that he will be far
better than incumbent Democratic U.S. President Barack Obama.

The freshman senator, a rising star in the Republican Party and a
favorite of the conservative Tea Party movement, is considered by many
as a possible vice presidential running mate. But Rubio said he did not
believe Romney will ask him, and that he wants to remain in the U.S.
Senate.

Public opinion polls show Obama’s small lead over Romney is increasing,
but that American voters continue to be concerned with the economy and
rising gasoline prices.

U.S. Representative Steve Chabot, an Ohio Republican, says the focus has
been on the various Republican presidential contenders, but that it
should turn to President Obama.

"It
has been a hard-fought race, no question about that," Chabot said. "I
would, as a Republican myself, I'd like to see a lot of that firepower
that's directed at each other directed at the president's policies.
Let's have the American people focus on what he's done right or done
wrong."

Romney is far ahead of the other Republican presidential hopefuls in the
number of delegates needed to secure the nomination.

Various news outlets say Romney has as least 560 delegates, while his
nearest rival, Rick Santorum, has at least 260 delegates, followed by
Newt Gingrich with at least 135. A candidate needs 1,144 delegates to
win the nomination to face Obama in the November general election.